Biographies

A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. It entails more than basic facts (education, work, relationships, and death), a biography also portrays a subject's experience of these events. Unlike a profile or curriculum vitae (résumé), a biography presents a subject's life story, highlighting various aspects of his or her life, including intimate details of experience, and may include an analysis of a subject's personality. Biographical works are usually non-fiction, but fiction can also be used to portray a person's life. One in-depth form of biographical coverage is called legacy writing. Biographical works in diverse media—from literature to film—form the genre known as a biography.

By: S. M. Kamakau

In 1961 the first edition of the English translation of Samuel Kamakau's Ruling Chiefs of Hawaii was published by Kamehameha Schools Press. Many contributed to make its publication possible. A group of Hawaiian scholars was first selected by the trustees of Bishop Museum to translate Kamakau's florid literary style into readable English. The group included Mary Kawena Pukui, Thomas G. Thrum, Lahilahi Webb, Emma Davidson Taylor, and John Wise. Mary Kawena Pukui then revie...

Many famous chiefs, mentioned in Hawaiian history, were descended from Hana-laa-nui. The ruling chiefs (noho alii) of Hawaii were of that particular lineage (mookuauhau), and with additions from those of the other islands, the genealogy of Hawaii's chiefs and their ancestors was made complete. Umi-a-Liloa [that is, Umi-son-of-Liloa] was a famous chief, and the reason for his fame was that it was he who united all of the districts of Hawaii through wars. The kingdom beca...

By: Samuel M. Kamakau

Beginning with the traditional history of the great chief ‘Umi and ending with the death of Kamehameha III in 1854, this volume covers the rediscovery of the Hawaiian Islands by Captain James Cook, the consolidation of the Hawaiian Kingdom by Kamehameha I, the coming of the missionaries and the changes affecting the kingdom during the first half of the nineteenth century. Originally, this history was written by Kamakau in Hawaiian as a series of newspaper articles in th...

The first article, dated December 16, 1920, was entitled “A Tale of Kekuhaupi‘o, the Famous Warrior of the Era of Kamehameha the Great (Written for the readers of Ka Hoku o Hawaii). ” The serial initially focuses on the story of Kekuhaupi‘o, an exceptionally strong and skillful Hawaiian warrior from Ke‘ei, South Kona. As with most noted warriors, he was a master in the ways of battle strategy and in understanding human nature in his enemies and allies alike. Kekuhaupi...

By: Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau Kamehameha School Press

This book is the second half of Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau’s landmark text on the history of Kamehameha and the kingdom he established. Written in Hawaiian as a serial column over three years, it ran from October 20, 1866, to October 14, 1869, in two consecutive Hawaiian newspapers: Kuokoa and Ke Au Okoa. Publication of this portion began on February 22, 1868.
Due to its length, the account has been published in two parts. Ke Kumu Aupuni1 or “The Foundation of Nation...

By: Julie Stewart Williams

This book is one of a series originally written by faculty in a Kamehameha reading program. The books were designed to increase students’ reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. Some of these books have been translated from their original English into Hawaiian through the efforts of the staff of the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Studies Institute. We are pleased at the reception both the Englis...

Kamehameha was born in secret and buried in secret. In between he lived a very public life of action, courage, wisdom and justice. He brought together the smaller separate island chiefdoms, uniting them into one great Hawaiian nation. Under his later leadership people lived peaceful and productive lives. Kamehameha the Great was written to tell young readers about the first ruler of all Hawai?i. It is based upon traditional and historical sources including writings by pe...

By: Ruby Hasegawa Lowe

This book is one of a series originally written by faculty in a Kamehameha reading program. The books were designed to increase students reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. Some of these books have been translated from their original English into Hawaiian through the efforts of the staff of the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Studies Institute. We are pleased at the reception both the Engli...

With the passing of Kamehameha III came a new era-one bringing Prince Alexander Liholiho to the throne as Kamehameha IV. The new king, like his predecessors, had great love for his people and set about to help them. And, like those kings before him, he worked and learned to blend the old ways with new ways. Here is the story of the fourth monarch of Hawaii.

By: Julie Stewart Williams

This book is one of a series originally written by faculty in a Kamehameha reading program. The books were designed to increase students' reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. Some of these books have been translated from their original English into Hawaiian through the efforts of the staff of the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Studies Institute. We are pleased at the reception both the Engl...

"Her love for the young was great, and it was a pretty sight to see her surrounded by a group of children to whose pleasure she was ministering." Perhaps no other single sentence portrays Pauahi so accurately and so completely as this remembrance of her, published at the time of her death. It captures the essence of the princess and her legacy: love, children, service..What a beautiful experience to have been in the company of the princess and to have known her in perso...

By: Julie Stewart Williams

This book is one of a series originally written by faculty in a Kamehameha reading program. The books were designed to increase students' reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. Some of these books have been translated from their original English into Hawaiian through the efforts of the staff of the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Studies Institute. We are pleased at the reception both the Engl...

"Her love for the young was great, and it was a pretty sight to see her surrounded by a group of children to whose pleasure she was ministering." Perhaps no other single sentence portrays Pauahi so accurately and so completely as this remembrance of her, published at the time of her death. It captures the essence of the princess and her legacy: love, children, service. What a beautiful experience to have been in the company of the princess and to have known her in pers...

By: Peter Galuteria

This book is one of a series written for Kamehameha Schools Intermediate Reading Program (KSIRP) students. They are designed to increase students' reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. The books are written by KSIRP staff in an effort to provide young readers with culturally relevant materials in language arts and Hawaiian studies. The authors are pleased that the books have been well rece...

The monarchy period in Hawaii spanned eighty-three years from 1810 to 1893, closing with the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani. Beginning with Kamehameha the Great and ending with Liliuokalani, this royal group included seven kings and one queen. Each monarch ruled for a period of time and in that time saw important changes take place in Hawaii. With the changes came many problems. With the problems came the challenge to seek solutions. Each ruler dealt with the changes a...

By: Rosalin Uphus Comeau

This book is one of a series written for Kamehameha Schools Intermediate Reading Program (KSIRP) students. They are designed to increase students' reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. The books are written by KSIRP staff in an effort to provide young readers with culturally relevant materials in language arts and Hawaiian studies. The authors are pleased that the books have been well rece...

Hawaii existed as a unified nation for eighty-three years, from 1810 to 1893, closing with the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani. Two dynasties ruled, the Kamehameha dynasty and the Kalakaua dynasty. A dynasty is a series of rulers who belong to the same family. The first sovereign was Kamehameha the Great, the founder of the kingdom. The second and third sovereigns were Kamehameha's sons, Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III). They were followed by Kam...

By: Ruby Hasegawa Lowe

This book is one of a series written for Kamehameha Schools Intermediate Reading Program (KSIRP) students. They are designed to increase students' reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. The books are written by KSIRP staff in an effort to provide young readers with culturally relevant materials in language arts and Hawaiian studies. The authors are pleased that the books have been well rece...

Lili?uokalani was born on September 2, 1838, to the High Chief Caesar Kapa?akea and High Chiefess Keohokalole. She was named Lili?u (Smarting) Kamaka?eha (The Sore Eye). It may seem as if the baby had an eye problem when she was born, but this was not so. The High Chiefess Kina?u, who gave Lili?u her name, was the one with the sore eye. Besides Lili?u Kamaka?eha, her Christian name was Lydia, a name given her at her baptism. It was not until years later that she was called Lili?uokalani.

By: Ruby Hasegawa Lowe

This volume contains the history of Hawaii's last reigning king, David Kalakaua. It covers all the way from the beginning (birth) of David Kalakaua, his time as king, and all the way to his death. A highly respected man of his time, this book was written to educate the students with a piece of Hawaiian history and the story of our last king of Hawaii.

Kalakaua's name translates literally as "The Day [of] Battle." As his life matched his name, King David Kalakaua's reign was very much a daily battle between Hawaiian traditions and values and Western influences.After his death this king has come to be recognized as a "renaissance man," a modern man of many talents and interests. However, in life his heart was like that of his forefathers, the Hawaiians of old. His story is of a man who faced the challenges of his time a...

By: Julie Stewart Williams and Suelyn Ching Tune

This book is one of a series originally written by faculty in a Kamehameha reading program. The books were designed to increase students reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. Some of these books have been translated from their original English into Hawaiian through the efforts of the staff of the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Studies Institute. We are pleased at the reception both the Engli...

The year 1819 marked a turning point in the history of Hawaii. It was a time of great change for Hawaiians and the Hawaiian way of life. Kamehameha I died that year. Gone was the powerful monarch who had united the separate island chiefdoms into one Hawaiian kingdom. What would become of the kingdom Kamehameha I had founded and kept together since 1795 Would the son he had named as heir govern the kingdom as Kamehameha I had wished Liholiho, the son of Kamehameha I and ...

By: Jean Iwata Cachola

This book is one of a series written for Kamehameha Schools Intermediate Reading Program (KSIRP) students. They are designed to increase students reading skills and their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture by focusing on topics such as the Hawaiian monarchy. The books are written by KSIRP staff in an effort to provide young readers with culturally relevant materials in language arts and Hawaiian studies. The authors are pleased that the books have been well recei...

Kamehameha III: Kauikeaouli is a biography of the Hawaiian kingdoms third ruler. A biography is a written story of a persons life and is based upon historical records. This story tells about the significant events of Kauikeaoulis life. It starts with his birth and childhood and continues through his reign of nearly thirty years. From 1810 to 1893 the kingdom of Hawaii was ruled by eight monarchs. Of all these rulers Kauikeaouli reigned the longest. Under his leader...

By: Lord Alfred Douglas; VED from VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS, Editor

As part of my continuing personal endeavour to create very readable digital versions of old books, I had placed my attention on books by and about Oscar Wilde. I came across this book, Oscar Wilde and Myself written by Lord Alfred Douglas. I thought of taking up this book for the conversion into a readable digital book.
The steps involved copying the text from certain scanned versions of the original book and recreating them as text in MS Word. It had its travails in...

THE manuscript of this book was completed by me and handed over to the publishers as long ago as last July. Certain persons thereupon deemed it advisable to apply to the Court for an injunction restraining me from including in my book any of the letters from Oscar Wilde which were in my possession, and they further applied for an injunction restraining me from quoting from the unpublished portion of the "De Profundis" manuscript which is now sealed up at the British Muse...